So, you found a caseta on the beach for sale? Well, lucky you! In case you haven't noticed yet, EVERYTHING is 4-Sale, especially in Sosua and when you are a foreigner... culprit number one when you are not from around (since you asked) is that it takes time to separate the ones who fly a kite from those who really are selling.
There seems to be only a hand full out of all these bars on the beach which make some business... while most others dwindle along and change hands every now and then. Many are leases, sub and probably sub-sub leases, so be aware whom you are buying from too. Few of those which seem to work well, have a concept which stands out but most just work and nobody can really pinpoint the reason why. Sometimes it so seems, it may just be because "so-and-so" owns or controls it... so it's cool to hang out there. We have seen ranchos tipicos and bars stand empty for years and then "someone" bought it up, didn't even repaint and the place is so crowdy one can't even fall. So... you are? Oh well, then maybe you have a concept idea... it may indeed work... or not.
An other word of warning, just in case: Dominicanas usually have two "splendid" business ideas; either a (one more) beauty parlor or a bar (preferably on the beach) where they'd set up a green fridge and sell "tostadas". Dominican BF's on the other hand usually only have one idea: yes, you guessed it right... the bar on the beach. The problems besides overwhelming competition... better yet, market over-saturation are too many to list... yet, the constant tendency to confuse gross sales (if there are any) as net income is typical prime issue worth while mentioning.
Yes, there are no titles to the casetas on the beach. They are being sold or traded off private contracts. Up to you or your lawyer friend to find out who really is the last "owner" in right to sell! Yet, as pointed out, it's public land (or at least, that's the word) so there are no titles availabe, EVER. Yet, these things have been there for ages so they (there is an association of which you will want to become a full member... if they let you) will raise all hell and claim rights if the government wants to get rid of them in favor of some big a$$ tourist project. Still those rights will most likely be honored to Dominicans (first or only). But you could put it in the name of some Dominican GF/BF, yet standing a good chance loosing it to her/him (many of these places HAD a gringo/a owner at some time) or put it into your name and stand a good chance to loose it to a big yellow caterpillar some day (I'd gamble on the later... you might get to keep it longer).
Then, there are the girls, their "owners" and "agents" and bros and cousins, the toy boys, the drunks, some addicts and a lot of foreign customers which will turn out to be good drinkers and quick friends (after all, YOU made it, YOU got the bar and the big mean green fridge with the magic stuff in green bottles)... yet, they will only make up for good story tellers, especially around closing time, when all wonder about who will pick up the tab... since they didn't quite make it (or maybe at some time had one of those bars too?).
Just another Caribbean life style experience.
So, how about the other alternative and open a Real Estate office somewhere in El Batey? :bunny:
My friend, I am not trying to bust your dream, but nightmares are dreams too. And at the end of all days... a bar on the beach may seem a fun operation and a "kewl" life style, yet, I am afraid, it stands a good chance to turn out to be more work and headaches one coming here would wish for. Still, most of us here, or at least most I observe as doing quite well, do WORK and work hard. There is no secret, money may seem worth more here than where most are coming to this island from, but somehow it is at a higher risk to just evaporate around here. Dreams just so seem to be priceless most everywhere.
... J-D.